Navigation light for boats

ABSTRACT

In accordance with the invention, the lamp carrying post is removably mounted on a bracket. The bracket supports an electrical fitting which is interengaged by a complementary fitting on the lower end of the post. By loosening the means that fixes the post on the bracket, the post can be readily removed for transportation or storage of the boat.

United States Patent Komon Aug. 19, 1975 [54] NAVIGATION LIGHT FOR BOATS 2,297.9) 10/1942 Sauer 240/75 X t 2.732.296 2/1957 240 52.l X 1751 wmdso" Canada 2,938,109 5/!960 240/75 [73] Assignee: Aqua-Marine Manufacturing -I Toronto Canada 3:506:956 4 1970 Kolm el al. it'd/8.1 R X 221 Filed: Feb. 25, 1974 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews 4 2 [2.] App] NO 16 Assistant Examiner-E. M. O'Connor Related US. Application a Attorney. Agent, or FirmBarnes, Kisselle, Raisch & [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 178.324. Sept. 7, 1971, Choate abandoned.

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 240/75; 240/8.l A; 240/52.l;

240/153 In accordance with the lnventton, the lamp carrytng Int Cl B63!) 45/04 post is removably mounted on a bracket. The bracket {58] Field l R 8 l A supports an electrical fitting which is interengaged by 5 a complementary fitting on the lower end of the post. By loosening the means that fixes the post on the 56] References Cited bracket, the post can be readily removed for transpor- UNTED S ATES PATENTS tation or storage of the boat. szsnm 4/1927 Boss 240/524 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures INVENTOR. JOH NF. KOMON ATTORNEYS NAVIGATION LIGHT FOR BOATS This is a continuation of application Ser. No. l78,324, filed Sept. 7. I971, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a navigation light for boats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Navigation lights for boats generally comprise a post which is mounted on a bracket and supports a navigation light. A typical light is the type shown in the patent to Faul US. Pat. No. 3,253,136.

When the boat is being stored or transported on land, it is common to cover the boat. However the presence of the navigation light necessitates a special configuration to the cover. Conventional commercially available navigation lights have wiring extending upwardly through the post which prevents removal of the post for transport or storage.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a navigation light for boats wherein the post can be readily removed and replaced without necessity of changing the wiring; which construction is particularly adapted for use with a navigation light of the type shown in the aforementioned patent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, the lamp carrying post is rcmovably mounted on a bracket. The bracket sup orts an electrical fitting which is interengaged by a complementary fitting on the lower end of the post. By loosening the means that fixes the post on the bracket, the post can be readily removed for transpor' tation or storage of the boat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a navigation light embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed perspective view of the holder shown in FIG. 1, the parts thereof being ex ploded for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a section through the holder of FIGS. I and 2 showing the holder in gripping position; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the holder in nongripping position with respect to the tubular member extending therethrough.

DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a navigation light III which comprises a tube 11 of circular cross-section, the tube being made of any standard metal and having a smooth chromium plated surface, a lens 12 mounted in any suitable way on tube 11 and having a light bulb (not shown) therein, and a holder 13. Tube 11 is, of course, hollow, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, to accommodate the electrical eonductors which supply electrical energy to the light bulb in lens I2.

As best shown in FIGS. 2. 3 and 4, holder 13 includes a bracket 14 having apertures 15 (FIG. 1) extending thercthrough to permit mounting of bracket 14 on the deck 16 (FIG. I J of a boat by means of screws I7, for example. Bracket 14, which also may be made of any suitable chromium plated metal has an upstanding neck and also an opening 18 extending thcrethrough which is of tapered cross-section and which is defined by tapered side Walls I9, opening 18 tapering inwardly from the bottom to the top thereof. Extending inwardly into oil opening 18 from side walls 19 is a key 20 which is formed integral with bracket 14.

Mounted in opening 18 there is a bushing 21 which has a skirt portion 22, the outer surface of which is tapered to conform with tapered side walls 19. Formed integral with skirt 22 is a part 23 of bushing 21 which is of generally tubular configuration and which has screw threads 24 thereon. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, tubular part 23 of bushing 2I extends beyond opening 18. Bushing 21 has an opening 25 extending therethrough in the same direction as opening I8, opening 25 being of circular cross-section and of only slightly larger diameter than the diameter of tube 11. There also is provided in bushing 21 a slot 26 which extends from the outer surface of bushing 21 into opening 25 and which extends from one end of the bushing to the other, as best shown in FIG. 2. It will be seen that slot 26 is tapered, being narrower at the bottom end of bushing 21 than at the top end thereof. Bushing 21 is made of any suitable plastic material such as nylon, for example, which is non-corrosive in fresh or sea water.

Holder 13 also includes a washer 27 which may be made of nylon, for example. Washer 27 has a circular opening 28 therein and a surface 29 which is tapered.

Holder 13 additionally includes a screw-cap 30 which has an outwardly flared skirt portion 31 that, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is spaced apart from the neck of bracket 14. Screw-cap 30 has a circular opening therein with the side walls defining the opening being threaded as at 32.

In order to assemble a navigation light embodying this invention, bushing 21 is inserted into opening I8 and assumes the position shown in FIG. 4. The insertion of bushing 21 in opening 18 is accomplished by inserting the top end 23 of bushing 21 into the larger diameter end of opening 18 with key 20 extending into slot 26, and by pushing bushing 21 upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4. In order to remove bushing 21 from bracket 14, part 23 is squeezed, thereby reducing the diameter thereof and permitting the bushing to be pushed downwardly in bracket 14. It is to facilitate the insertion of bushing 21 into opening 18 and the removal of bushing 21 from bracket 14, that slot 26 is made wider at the top than at the bottom thereof. After bushing 21 has been so assembled in bracket 14, tube 11 is pushed through opening 25 in bushing 21, washer 27 and screw-cap 30 previously having been mounted on tube II as best shown in FIG. 2.

Screw-cap 30 then is brought to the position shown in FIG. 4, and is screwed onto bushing 21. This results in bushing 21 being drawn upwardly in aperture 18 to the position shown in FIG. 3. In this position the outer surface of skirt 22 is in tight engagement with side wall 19, and during tightening of screw-cap 30 the width of the lower part of slot 26 is decreased, as a result of which bushing 21 is drwan into tight gripping engagement with tube 11. It will be appreciated that bushing 21 can only slide upwardly in opening 18 to a limited extent, because of the coaction between the tapered outer surface of skirt 22 and tapered side walls 19. It will be appreciated that key 20 extending into slot 26 performs the function of restraining bushing 21 against rotation within bracket 14 during tightening of screwcap 30. When bushing 21 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, tube 11 is held firmly in position by virtue of the gripping action of bushing 21 on tube 11. It is an important feature of this invention that tube 11 will remain in the position shown in FIG. 3, even if screw-cap 30 is loosened. and even completely disengaged from threads 24 of bushing 21. This is due to the wedging action of bushing 21, and it will be found that it is almost as difficult to pull tube 11 upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 3 when screw-cap 30 is not engaged with threads 24 as when it is so engaged. However, in the absence of such a sharp downwardly directed force. it will be found that tube H is supported in position in bracket 14 even if screw-cap 30 becomes loose after having been tightened to the position shown in FIG. 3 as well may occur as a result of the whole navigation light assembly being subjected to constant vibration.

In order to provide the greatest resistance to longitudinal movement of bushing 21 in opening 18, it is desirable that the whole of the outer surface of skirt portion 22 which is within opening l8 be in contact with tapered sidewalls l9, and, to this end, the whole of the outer surface of skirt portion 22 should be tapered to conform to tapered side walls 19 as is shown in the figures.

It also should be noted that key 20, in addition to serving the function of preventing rotation of bushing 21 in opening 18, provides a stop which limits the upward movement of bushing 21 in opening 18. Thus, when bushing 21 has assumed the position shown in FIG. 3, the width of slot 26 at the bottom thereof has decreased to such an extent that the side walls defining the slot at the bottom thereof engage key 20 and prevent furthcr upward movement of bushing 21. it will be appreciated, of course, that other means may be employed to prevent rotation of bushing 21 in opening 18.

The aforementioned construction is substantially identical to that shown in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3.253,l36.

In accordance with the invention an electrical fitment 31 of electrically insulating material for laterally projecting ears 32 is mounted in the lower end of the bracket M with the ears engaging generally planar surfaces 33. The ears are provided with slots 34 and screws 35 are threaded inwardly to hold the fitment 3] in position with the body extending axially into the lower end of the bushing 2]. Wires 36 extend into electrical fitment 31 and are electrically connected to externally projecting prongs 37. A complementary electrical fitment 38 is inserted and recessed in the lower end of the post I] and has axially extending openings 39 with electrical contacts therein adapted to be engaged by the prongs 37. The lower end of the tube I] is formed with a slot 41a into which a radial projection 40 on the fitment 38 extends to circumferentially locate the fitment. The lamp housing is provided with an apertured tab or loop 4] and the bracket 14 is formed with an aperturcd tab or loop 42 that serves as a means for fastening a flag. When the post It is moved axially downwardly to engage the fitment 38 with the fitment 31, the tabs 41, 42 are circumfcrentially located properl Tightening of the cap or collar 30 holds the post ll in proper circumferential position.

I claim:

I. A navigation light for boats comprising a post.

illuminating means carried by said post.

a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted on a boat and having an opening of tapered cross-section defined by tapered side walls extending therethrough,

said mounting bracket having an upstanding neck through which the opening in said bracket extends.

a bushing mounted in the opening in said bracket and slidable therein to a limited extent in one direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening in said bracket.

said bushing having an outer surface,

a part of said outer surface being tapered to conform generally to said tapered side walls and engaging said tapered side walls,

said bushing having a threaded neck,

said threaded neck projecting beyond said neck of said bracket.

said bushing also having an opening of cross-section complementary to the cross-section of said post, and said opening extending through said bushing and through said threaded neck thereof in the same general direction as the opening in said bracket,

said post being mounted in the opening in said bushing,

said bushing having a slot therein extending from said outer surface into the opening in said bushing and extending from one end of said bushing to the other end thereof,

and a cap member having an opening therethrough which said post extends,

said cap member being threadably engageable with said threaded neck of said bushing and adapted to draw said part of said outer surface of said bushing into tight engagement with said tapered side walls defining the opening in said bracket by moving said bushing in said one direction, whereby the width of at least a part of said slot is decreased and said bushing is drawn into tight gripping engagement with said post,

said cap member having a skirt portion extending over said neck of said bracket and spaced apart from said neck of said bracket.

a first electrical element,

said first electrical element being positioned in the lower end of said post comprising openings therein and spaced contacts in said openings.

a second electrical element having spaced prongs,

means for mounting and circumferentially locating said second electrical element on said bracket with said second electrical element substantially closing the lower end of said opening in said bushing and with said prongs extending upwardly into the opening in said bushing,

the prongs on said second electrical element extending into said openings in said first electrical elements to provide an electrical connection therebe tween when said post is supported on said base,

and electric lead means extending between said first electrical element and said illuminating means for completing a circuit thereto.

2. The combination set forth in claim I wherein said post and said opening in said bushing have a generally circular cross-section.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 including means for circumferentially locating said first electrical element on said post, a flag engaging tab on said light housing circumferentially located with respect to said first electrical element. and a flag engaging tab on said bracket circumferentially located with respect to said second electrical element.

4. The combination set forth in claim I wherein said ment and means extending from said ears into said means for mounting and circumferentially locating said bracket for holding said second electrical element on second electrical element on said bracket comprises said bracket. laterally extending ears on said second electrical ele- 

1. A navigation light for boats comprising a post, illuminating means carried by said post, a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted on a boat and having an opening of tapered cross-section defined by tapered side walls extending therethrough, said mounting bracket having an upstanding neck through which the opening in said bracket extends, a bushing mounted in the opening in said bracket and slidable therein to a limited extent in one direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening in said bracket, said bushing having an outer surface, a part of said outer surface being tapered to conform generally to said tapered side walls and engaging said tapered side walls, said bushing having a threaded neck, said threaded neck projecting beyond said neck pf saod bracket, said bushing also having an opening of cross-section complementary to the cross-section of said post, and said opening extending through said bushing and through said threaded neck thereof in the same general direction as the opening in said bracket, said post being mounted in the opening in said bushing, said bushing having a slot therein extending from said outer surface into the opening in said bushing anD extending from one end of said bushing to the other end thereof, and a cap member having an opening therethrough which said post extends, said cap member being threadably engageable with said threaded neck of said bushing and adapted to draw said part of said outer surface of said bushing into tight engagement with said tapered side walls defining the opening in said bracket by moving said bushing in said one direction, whereby the width of at least a part of said slot is decreased and said bushing is drawn into tight gripping engagement with said post, said cap member having a skirt portion extending over said neck of said bracket and spaced apart from said neck of said bracket, a first electrical element, said first electrical element being positioned in the lower end of said post comprising openings therein and spaced contacts in said openings, a second electrical element having spaced prongs, means for mounting and circumferentially locating said second electrical element on said bracket with said second electrical element substantially closing the lower end of said opening in said bushing and with said prongs extending upwardly into the opening in said bushing, the prongs on said second electrical element extending into said openings in said first electrical elements to provide an electrical connection therebetween when said post is supported on said base, and electric lead means extending between said first electrical element and said illuminating means for completing a circuit thereto.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said post and said opening in said bushing have a generally circular cross-section.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 2 including means for circumferentially locating said first electrical element on said post, a flag engaging tab on said light housing circumferentially located with respect to said first electrical element, and a flag engaging tab on said bracket circumferentially located with respect to said second electrical element.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting and circumferentially locating said second electrical element on said bracket comprises laterally extending ears on said second electrical element and means extending from said ears into said bracket for holding said second electrical element on said bracket. 